Panasonic Lumix DC-G95/G90 Review

The Panasonic Lumix DC-G95 (comparable to the G90 and G91 sold outside North America, which use a different type of display) is a mid-range 20MP Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera. Panasonic says it's designed to be equally adept at both stills and video, though we don't wholly agree.

It offers an extensive degree of direct control, a flip-out touchscreen and in-body stabilization: a combination that's unusual at this point in the market. This is enough to make it an attractive enthusiast stills camera but a significant video crop undermines its video-making credentials.

Key Specifications:

20MP Four Thirds CMOS sensor

9 fps shooting with AF-S, 6 fps with AF-C

UHD 4K at 30 and 24p (25p for the G90)

Unlimited video capture (up to capacity of card)

Headphone and Mic sockets

V-Log L gamma profile (8-bit only)

L. Monochrome D (high-contrast mono mode)

4K Photo mode with auto marking and sequence composition

Live View Composite mode for multi-shot long exposure images

The G95 is only being offered as a kit in North America with the 12-60mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH Power OIS zoom. This combination will set you back around $1199, which is a $200 premium over the comparable G85 kit.

Elsewhere, the G90, which has an OLED, rather than LCD rear screen, will be sold body only for £899 or £1079 with the 12-60mm.

Comments

So the S1, a more expensive Professional camera has to have a paid upgrade to gain access to vLog; presumably so Photographers don't have to pay for something they don't need or to stop casual users from messing up their footage with it (whichever the reason). This camera however, despite cheaper, includes it on spec.....

It's this plus their need to make the 25p/30p different regions to be activated in camera, their reliance of CDAF despite alternatives are all silly issues that are slowly pushing me away from Panasonic after 8 years exclusively buying their products.

Same vlog as the GH5 and GH4, which were paid upgrades. Whilst 10 bit on the GH5 was a free upgrade. Explain the logic there. As for Contrast Detect AF. My issue is its not as good as Dual Pixel AF. A fact clear to other camera manufacturers.

Why did you choose to argue about pricing and marketing? Who cares? It's a market. They charge what they think they can. That's how markets work. Why do people continue to obsess over this? It's such a waste. Not to mention the complete obliviousness to the continually changing costs of things. Just because a camera cost 1200 two years ago doesn't mean that a similarly positioned camera would be priced the same today. Demand changes. Costs change. Competition changes. Etc

Anyway. I'm more interested in your experience with cdaf and why you think it's inadequate. I haven't really been limited by the focusing technology on my Panasonic so I'm interested in real world, experienced users that seem to be.

You're not understanding. 10 bit on the GH5 was a free upgrade, whilst vLog on the GH5 was paid. I am comparing this to the GH5 now not the S1 to emphasise the inconsistency. Please keep up.And I am not obsessed, I made a minor remark concerning one of the reasons I am switching off from Panasonic. My issue is simply that an update that cost me £99 on the GH5, which came free with the more expensive GH4r and which on the S1 is a paid update, albeit with 10 bit (a free update on the GH5), is now included with the G95 for free. This is a perfectly legitimate observation on how the rules on vLog seem to shift from camera to camera, no matter how much you pay for it. It would be like RAW being free on the G95, but a paid update on a camera costing much more, then free again on another more expensive camera, then back to being a paid update again on their flagship Fullframe camera. Would you not find this a strange practise.

As for CDAF, fine for Photography to a point, but slow in places. It is hit and miss for video. I would say 75% useful for video and 90% useful for Photography in good light. In poor light, 65% useful for Video and 75% for Photos.Also I never said CDAF was inadequate anyway in my posts above. My issue with Panasonic is their reliance on it, when something better is available and in use on other camera systems. This is not an opinion unique to me. Most opinions on the S1, even positive, speak negatively about the AF performance not matching other cameras and querying why DPAF isn't used. Its the one thing holding back Panasonic now. And good AF is important.

And I am still figuring out your pop at me over costs and marketing. None of what you say relates at all to my points. I am not arguing why Camera A is more expensive than a 2 year old Camera B. I don't even touch on marketing. My points above don't even mention it. Anyway the G95 is cheaper than the GH5 and isn't similarly positioned to it and certainly not to the S1. Are you sure you replied to the right post????

You are still in the same mindset. You just took a whole post to talk about why Panasonic should be consistent about log pricing. It's the same absurdity about criticizing over market prices of cameras.

Vlogl was a paid upgrade then because no one had it with the same specs. Vlogl is free on this camera because that's no longer true. Not many buying the g95 are going to plan on buying vlog, but they might be more likely to buy the camera if it's included, removing some of the limitations of 8bit shooting in hdr scenes. The fact that I need to explain possible marketing/sales reasons for the price difference is what I'm criticizing. I don't understand this obsession over criticizing how much camera makers SHOuLD charge for something. They obviously have reasons for doing it and they're probably better at their jobs than internet armchair quarterbacks.

No no no. I have no problem paying more for something. I disagree with paid updates for the most part, especially if they're included free on other cameras and one that is cheaper. If from now on vLog L is free on a future GH6, I will accept this as a simple change in policy. If not, then it's a valid comment of their inconsistency. Marketing has jack all to do with my point. I'm less interested in price, more in their policy in what counts and doesn't count as a paid upgrade for specific cameras, which seems to vary.In fact, the reason vLog was a paid upgrade for the GH4 and GH5 was to to ensure only those users who knew how to use it would have it. Their argument, not mine. They felt a high end feature needed to be in the hands of experts not the causal buyer. That was the quoted reason. So its inclusion now on the G95 suggests a change. If this change does pass to say a GH6, fine. If not, my issue stands. Really, it was only a casual point till you argued against it. :(

Should also mention, I currently own from Panasonic 2*GH2, a GH3, a GH4, 2*GH4r, a GH5, a GH5s, a G85, and 2*GX85. Oh and also their older Professional Video Camera the AF101a. All of which can be used in my Business, depending on my need. One of the things I often liked about Panasonic was their consistency in their products; with video codecs and features on 1 camera passed to other cameras. This made using multiple cameras ideal in my work. I think that gives this armchair quarterback some opinion.

I feel that Panasonic and DFD AF is a bit like Fuji and X-Trans. They have spent so much R&D money on developing it, and then marketing it as better than competing technologies, that they simply won't admit its shortcomings.

I'm not saying that these two technologies are worse than the alternatives in every respect, but there seems to be a widespread feeling among many users that the drawbacks are more tangible than the benefits.

A waste of energy. 4 mins of my time to write that opening post. VLog on my GH4 and GH5 cost me £99 a piece, to say nothing of hiring Videographers to work for me, who although own such cameras, cause me issues as they have not made the update themselves. All for a feature now delivered free on a camera much cheaper than the GH4 and GH5. The vLog update has been very costly to me and it seems all for nothing if it can so freely be given. 4 mins of my time in here to complain about it, is nothing in comparison.

I think Fuji somewhat matches M4/3 when it comes to primes tbh, depending on priorities and preferences... M4/3 zooms tho are where you really see a ton more variety and the sensor advantage fully leveraged. I shoot both so I like the M4/3 catalog better overall, but I'd be plenty happy with Fuji's primes tbh.

Why do you have a review in progress on this camera and still nothing (after moths) on the oly omd em1x that is a flagship camera plenty of amazing specs? I think, with all the respect, you are not getting olympus seriously and this is quite unfair from my point of view

@Thorgrem ...Nikon kept the same starting price $3,297 for the D700, D800, D810 and D850. All of them followed the same reductions except for the D850 that just didn't get there yet. I think Panasonic is charging for the V-log, instead of making it an option. They have been discounting older models, and kits as well. I do think for this price, it should've had two card slots!

So Panasonic is charging for new functions that cost Panasonic money for licencing. What are they thinking...... Yes, you can better stick with Nikon , it's not a company but more of a charity. Just like WNF. For this price it should have at least 2 mounts and 2 sensors. Modern phones these days already have 3 camera's. It's 2019 for crying out loud....

These are not new features, these are standard features which are to be expected in 2019. Or are you running to your boss every time you get a new task and want a 20% increase in salary? Good for you, you could then afford all the ne cameras ;)

@Thorgrem ...I saw your post about the low light issue. I wanted to ask if there was a reason that you're not using Flash? Olympus and Nissin have some excellent Flash units. Even the smaller Neewer NW-300 for m43 is excellent and very inexpensive!

@dpfan32 - so how come no one just "expects" features like IBIS and unlimited 4K and big EVFs and weather-sealing from every other camera this is priced to compete against in 2019? And how come none of those cameras have those features?

Thorgrem ...Sorry, I must've misunderstood, it was like a week or two ago, I think. Godox is the fastest Growing Lighting company, and most of their Gear is forward and backwards compatible. Excellent value and they really seem to care about their customers! ...Have a Good Weekend!

To All, At least now everyone can see that Panasonic, Olympus and now Sharp are serious about the m43 format. People have been declaring it dead, like that idiot Tony Northrup who had a video with that title! Olympus is NOT selling their camera division, and nothing changes for those of us that shoot the format. For me, m43 is more of a hobby, and it's not everyones cup of tea, it's not intended to be, but some of us do see the benefits in it. For many, just seeing Panasonic go to 20MP's is a huge update, while Olympus added a Camera, 8 new lenses and Flash system. I'm turning out some fine images, even with the Lumix Bridge FZ1000 that has been selling for under $500 now. So make your choices, and write your comments, but we all have one or two things in common; Photography & Video. I, for one, am grateful that we have a website devoted to our interests and our occupations! We all have much more in common, than in difference! ...Joe

I like Panasonic cameras with great ergonomics , great video and affordable.

In October I purchased a FZ300 for Vlogging. I have produced 35 videos for my youtube channel. This is about 10 hours of actual video that was originally recorded in 4K and then produced at FHD. The quality of the video is exceptional considering that I always use artificial light (indoors) baking show.

I also used this camera for recording 4k video outdoors sports as my sons play football. With its 25mm - 640 mm f/2.8 you get a very compelling package.

However, I don't use the camera for photography. For that I use Canon 6D (landscapes) and Sony RX100 IV for hiking and motorcycle tours.

I haven't had any quality issues with the Panasonic, it is solidly built and controls are well located. Menus are OK, the only thing is that there are too many options to change so sometimes I'm lost.

...stop that different region - different model number crap! Make ONE model for the worldwide market! It's super annoying keeping track of your model numbers. Then, stop selectively activating the 25p/30p video modes for different regions (probably to avoid flickering lights in video mode depending on ). You know that I can travel from my 50hz country to a 60hz country, right? How about educating people how to chose the right setting for the right occation?

599 EUR is a joke. Should the X-T30 and A6400 cost 599, too? Or is that measly 2/3 stop sensor size worth 500 EUR despite all the major missing features like IBIS, unlimited 4K recording, weather-sealing, robust build, ergonomics, and large EVF?

Androole - There's a running game on DPR where posters insist that a new model should be priced below the end-of-life cost of the outgoing model. I think there must be a prize or something for the person who says the most ridiculously low number.

JL Auch: the G95 is priced below a GH5 which has 4K60P at full screen capture, and this does not have full screen 4K but crop 4K however does have FHD full screen capture at 60P. Loads of features, and 5 axis stabilization. I think the price is well deserved, all things considered. This is a Semi-Pro camera, which can do quite a lot at clean 4K output to HDMI at 4:2:2. So for consumer prices, just go with earlier models or lower models.

The G85 is currently $700 USD and possibly dipping lower soon, sounds like a good option for you. I've actually got my eye on one for my mother, and no I'm not being condescending (she currently shoots a G6)...

imaging-resource states in its first impression review that the initial exposure time can be set between 1/2s and 60s. It also says the function is available in manual mode after bulb time, which might mean it does actually produce RAWs.

These are great little cameras. So much nicer than the A6400 which is extremely lacking and has very poor ergonomics, as well as boneheaded design (the low res LCD flip screen is blocked by flash,etc.).

This camera also IBIS (unlike 95% of Sony APSC cameras including their latest) and Sony hasn't put IS on a prime lens in over 7 years. Even their standard $2200 F/2.8 Zoom lacks IS, while Panasonic offers a $900 F/2.8 zoom with IS that works in tandem with IBIS. I guess you could compare a Sony F/2 zoom, but still no 5 axis IS and since there is only 2/3rds stop difference between m43 and APSC, that larger Sony lens is at a disadvantage even before considering its lack of 5 axis IS.

This is not true. For about 95% of shooting moving objects both cameras will work. If you are shooting while panning and with a slow shutter speed the Panasonic IBIS gives it an advantage, and in extreme test cases and some sports the A6400 has a advantage. IT should be noted there are almost no native sports lenses for the A6400 (especially under $2000).

The Truth is for the average shooting they really won't notice much of a difference. For video though the lack of IS on the A6400 becomes a real problem though.

The A6400 looks like a very capable camera, but if I could only have one (in this example) it would be the Panasonic because of the lens selection.Sony seems a bit like Canon in that, to realize the best results, you have to use their better FF lenses, meaning IMO, you might as well use FF.You probably take a bit of a IQ hit with these M43 cameras, but everything is designed as a compatible, compact system. I can certainly see the benefits, less so with the A6xxx series (when they have the A7 cameras).

1. I guess you did not notice Panasonic G9 or Olympus e-m1x - these are fairly big.2. There will be the option down the road, either second hand or otherwise and one can usually sell the kit lens with good profit.

They say that it is a mid level. But only entry level cameras generally come with a lens because you most times are starting out and don't have any lenses. Most mid tiered cameras give you the option of kit lens or mo kit lens. But no time and log are things the G9 doesn't have and I want a G9

I admire the traction that Panasonic and Olympus have achieved with micro four-thirds. But, yes, wth the size of so many of the models and Sony and Canon demonstrating how small an APS-C camera can be, so should these Panasonic and Olympus cameras have APS-C sensors.

$200 is a decent price for the 12-60 f/3.5-5.6. New MSRP is $499 which is ridiculous. I paid $280 for mine and I'm very happy with it. I do agree though, cameras should always be available body only.

Regarding the size, I also tend to agree with others that the G85 and G95 are a bit too big relative to APS-C competitors. The G85 and G95 are about 15% larger than the Canon EOS M50. They are also larger than any of the Sony a6xxx series. I'm confused by the larger is better trend with m43. It was the small size and decent image quality that compelled me to buy in so long ago. Shrink the G95 by 20 to 25% and I'd probably be interested again.

They're not much bigger than the oldest G bodies (G5-7) that have long been some of Pana's best selling models, this isn't a new trend. The nice thing about M4/3 is you have more than plenty of choices, Fuji does offer some variety of body styles (more than Sony anyway) but M4/3 can scale up/down applenty. The GX850 is kinda underated IMO, the E-M# line and GX## line are both quite capable and smaller than the G bodies, etc etc.

This announcement was exciting to me, because I've considered getting a second M43 body (first is EM5-II), and I had thought about getting the G85. But since I don't shoot any video, there don't seem to be many advantages to getting the G95 over the G85. Poorer battery life and 4 more megapixels don't seem to be an upgrade, especially for $500 more ($700 with the kit lens on B&H vs. $1200 for the G95 with kit lens). The G9 might make more sense at that price.

You really can't go wrong with any Panasonic camera. The ergonomics and UI alone are a reason to use them.

The GH4 is still my favorite camera (even though I have a GH5). It's the perfect weight, the built in flash is a nice thing to have, and the battery lasts just a little longer than the GH5. It might be 5 years old but the reality is that IQ really hasn't mattered for a long time if you aren't printing big or shooting in the dark.

There's Bluetooth, USB charging, and the Live Composite mode also in the G95's favor... Though I kinda agree, it's still a tough sale against a G85 for quite a few hundred less or a G9 for about the same price. The GX95 had the same issue really, but I don't know it's that big a deal to Panasonic...

Existing M4/3 users have the luxury of waiting for the price to drop and these will still draw in new users. Pana's pricing has always been weird in this regard, tho the G85 held it's value a lot better than many past G bodies.

Too bad there's no 6K Photo. I use the 4K Photo on my GX80 for birds in flight, very useful and under-rated ; I wish it were raw files and higher res. though, so for 6K Photo I'd have bought this new toy :)

Small phrasing suggestion:"The G95 is only being offered in North America as a kit with the 12-60mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH Power OIS zoom." could be understood in two ways: (1) this kit combo is only available in North America or (2) in North America it is only available as this kit combo.

For the second meaning, an unambiguous wording would be: "In North America the G95 is only available as a kit with the 12-60 mm f/3.5-5.6".

It does not seem very probable to me that they coupled a fast and expensive 4K/60p capable sensor with an inadequate processor. A fast processor would still makes sense even with a slower sensor, because of other tasks. But if I may guess, this has nothing to do with the G9, it just reuses the hardware from the GX8/GX9 (both sensor and processor).

Okay, having seen more elsewhere I do think it's the GH5/G9/EM1 II underlying sensor... (the Oly sensor has microlenses for PDAF, so silicon the same, part not).Richard might have a point about readout (although they might have just used cheaper/slower memory on the same processor).

"And, it's noticeably the only camera in this company to offer in-body stabilization (which is objectively better for video than in-lens correction) or a fully-articulated rear screen or even make claims of weather sealing."

I always liked the menu system on Panasonic cameras but having live composite now is that killer feature I always wanted for my Fuji (after ibis). I would like to see them saying well we will port that feature to gx9 and g9 then I can positively think about going m43. Fuji pro-zooms are really expensive even second hand compared to m43, and with primes I miss too many shaky shots (I forget to change settings most of the times).

I've not understood the fascination with a camera body's looks. Don't choose a camera because it looks good, choose a camera because it WORKS good. The EN5.2 may look nice but it really doesn't work all that well, regardless of what the retro-focused fans think. I'm waiting to upgrade mine ASAP.

I don't really care for the looks of my EM-5 II, but outside of shooting action it still works and holds up remarkably well IMO. Oly has had Live Composite for ages, and high res mode, and EFC, took Pana a while to adopt or mimic those things (amongst others). It's also one of the smallest weather sealed bodies... I'm in no hurry to upgrade mine, but I'm not hating on Pana either, I love shooting with my GX850 too. Oly really needs better C-AF in a lower end body tho, long overdue.

Olympus has been putting the same functionality on all their main cameras. Penf, em5 and e-m1 have the same features but not the same physics. Panasonic has different jpeg engines, not this one has live composite and none others have. Some have highers mode the others no. Actually this camera makes me even more confused. What if I wanted to have gx9 body and live composite like pen f provides but from camera which is like 3 and something years ago. I wish Olympus just release a new camera but Panasonic hasn't changed the game. I wish they did.

Olympus has the same menu for all, what it now might change something for the future models, but on top tier models they might come to lower tier models via firmware update.

The Olympus use the same features, it doesn't cut them off on newer models, like if the previous one has a 4K 60 FPS, then it doesn't cut a newer one with 4K and 30 FPS.

If a new low tier model comes out with new features, the older higher tier model gets it via firmware update if possible. Example E-M10 II brought features to E-M1 and E-M5 II.

Olympus cameras are what you can grab one and use across the models with same functionality and features without much learning anything major, the differences are the physical user interface and the new hardware features and capabilities. Like with new you can get 60 FPS raw shooting, previous is 11 FPS raw shooting, still find the settings and all from same place.

One using a E-500 can upgrade to E-M5 and feel like home, just physical form changed and more features.

Olympus might be pretty egalitarian with software features, and did indeed adopt some crucial things way sooner than Pana (EFC, eye detect, auto ISO in manual); but they've fallen behind in one crucial aspect... AF-C in anything that isn't a big and pricey flagship (E-M1), whereas Pana put DFD on everything down to the GX850. I'm a fan of both, but I think they've switched roles in certain ways over the years... And the E-M5 III is kinda overdue.

To be fair, Pana is usually pretty good about sharing basic software features across their whole lineup as well, they've had a great time lapse feature set on all their bodies for years, get put DFD & 4K on everything pretty quickly... They do hold some things back, on the hardware side more than software, more than anything tho they time their releases pretty weirdly/awfully.

The GX8 fell victim to that, it was the flagship but lacked the electro mag shutter and video IBIS of the GX85 & G85... Those two were such terrific values that people kept going back to them and bringing up their street price at the release of the GX9 and now the G95. It was bound to happen, they could either wait it out longer for a refresh or deal with this.

Panasonic it's 2019 ! What are you doing with that 4K crop ? This is a horrible downgrade to my G80's crop.Sad to say I now lost faith in Panasonic getting their act together for non pro users.X-T30 or A6400 seem to be the way to go for me now.

A6400 forces you to crop at 30fps at 4K as well, or you have to live with a really bad (I mean, really bad) rolling shutter at 24fps.So...X-T30 looks to be a better choice if you can live with sub-par IS in videos.

It’s all about down converting all those pixels to a 4K image. Throwing away pixels creates terrible artifacts of aliasing and moire. Downsampling does the job but require huge amounts of CPU DSP creating heat, poor battery life and extra cost. Crop is a compromise to give you the best final image. If full width 4K is important to you spend a little more for a GH5.

The A6400 has only an 1,2x crop factor in 4K 30p (only) relative to it's senor, which translates in a 1,8x relative to FF. The G95 has a 1,35x relative to it's sensor, or 2,7x relative to FF in any 4K mod. I usually shot either 24 or 25p depending on the needs, so the A6400 has no crop factor at all related to it's sensor size. But it has a fantastic image and an extraordinary AF system! I can't say the same thing about the G95 with it's smaller sensor and it's bad CDAF only auto focus system!

The a6400 has the same crop as the a6300, so the 30p crop is 1.22x relative to the maximum 16:9 area of its sensor (1.27x compared to its full sensor area or 1.95x compared to the full area of a full-frame sensor).

Eno2, you obviously have no idea about what you are saying. You are so wrong I do not bother to correct you.Read Barney again and again and again.It is also obvious you have never used any last generation Panasonic camera. Your words are formed with blind belief on some Youtubers or forum birds.

Thank you for the clarification. I've only taken into account the crop factor relative to the length of the sensor and round the values. But if you want to be very precis then: 1,55x APSC crop x 1,23x added crop from the 4K 30p = 1,9x relative to FF.I live in Europe and I don't shoot 30p, for me the Sony camera have no crop what so ever in 4K. :)Rolling shutter is indeed bad, but not worst compared to the EOS R, RP, 5D mk4 etc.In contrast, this G95 has indeed a 2,7x crop factor (relative to FF) in all 4K modes, not to mention a soft 4k (doesn't feature resizing) and has a terrible AF.In this light, people interested in a budget Panasonic camera are much better served with the older G85 or the very cheap G7.

I think dpreview needs to get it's comparison sheet rating harmonised. In the X1D review the smaller full frame sensor was marked red in all other comparisons no rating is done on sensor size. In the E-M1x review the A9 and G9 were marked green for having 20fps e-shutter, here it doesn't happen.

Bad AF performance? It's clear that you haven't used a recent Panasonic camera :DPoor battery life? Compared to what? The Fuji and the Sony are not better in real world.And the 1199$ price tag is with the lens.

I've own 9 Panasonic cameras over the years (with the G9 and GH5s being the last two of them). Panasonic CDAF is simply put unusable for anything that moues! It's completely useless in AF-C, for both photo or video applications! So don't patronize me with Panasonic AF system, course it's garbage! Until they implement a proper PDAF system I won't ever again spend money on either of their cameras!

Agree he obviously has never used 1, i have a G9 D500 and A7r3 and i would go to say that the G9 is near as dammit on par with the d500 for capture rate, in normal use ( Lab tests aside ) great Cameras. and having IBIS which Sony and Fuiji dont have only on higher models, either that or he needs to learn how to use it :)

You might own lot of their cameras, but obviously do not shoot other brands.When we talk about the AF SINGLE panasonic is still one of the best if not the best of all focusing machines. And yes I know since I have shoot lot of Olympus, Fujifilm, Sony cameras.As for the continuos AF yes it could be much better but if you compare it to for example Olympus mid-range cameras it's still a better one. Though Sony, Fujifilm are much better.Cheers

A6400 has horrible rolling shutter at 24fps and also crops at 30fps (4K).DFD in recent PAnasonic cameras is actually very good. You talk based on forum birds ot sh.tty Youtubers.X-T30 specs are very good but without good IS in video (Panasonic's IBIS + OIS rocks in video).

eno2 if you can't hit a single thing with a camera that dpreview tests the CAF as being "really impressive, with the vast majority of frames tack sharp and the camera easily able to stay on our subject", then I'd suggest the problem is far more likely to be user-error or a talent deficiency issue.

The AF in Sony cameras is so good, that I'm struggling to get out of focus images with my new A7III, even with cheep third party lenses. There is no comparison with the very imprecise, subject unfollowing , bad in low light CDAF Panasonic uses since forever, Panasonic AF is simply terrible!

The A7III AF is fatalistically good, fast and precise. The Sony AF tracking is out of this world! I don't know how was the AF in previous Sony cameras but I've shoot with Panasonic cameras starting from GH1 up until G9 and GH5s and although Panasonic was always promoting very good AF, it was completely unusable for my video work. Last year I shot exclusively several photo events with two G9's and I can say that was the worst experience I had ever had with a photo camera in my entire career (starting with the very bad and totally unreadable AF and finishing with a totally useless TTL flash implementation). The whole experience was so horrible that I had to sell everything (with great loses) and move to a proper ML system.

Sion H. You're being ridiculous.. If you can't get an a6500 to focus, you have SERIOUS problems you are trying really hard to make it fail. Please don't try to say "Brand X's AF must be better because Sony's doesn't work."

I have used A6000, A6300 and A6500. They probably switch to contrast AF too fast when light levels are not optimum and they have great difficulty even for AF-S, let alone AF-C. A7III and A9 are quite a bit better.Even a Panasonic GM1 is way better to AF-S in low light than Sony APS-C cameras (I haven't tried A6400 yet).

@eno2 - it's obvious you have not used a panasonic camera. FYI, the AF is very fast in single mode. It's even faster than some PDAF! And that is even using an Olympus lens that is not large in aperture either! It's in video or AF-C that it is weak. AF tracking is not as good as PDAF like Sony's or Canon.

For battery life, I can get around 1:20 hours on the G85. My guess that is on par with the a6400. I am not sure of the no of shots, I get, but I am sure I get more than 300-320 on the G85. I expect this to have the same performance.

As for the 4k crop, yes, it can be annoying. I don't understand that. But it's not really excessive as you make it sound.

For U$1,200, now that is too much. I'd rather go for the XT-3 for U$200 more. I expect the g90 to settle down to sub U$1,000 in 3-6 months. Or, go for the XT-30 or a6400 if you are after better AF, and other features. If MFT is your thing, maybe the G9 is a better buy. U$1,200 is too much to ask for this.

Nobody is talking about AF-S. Yes the Panasonic cameras are fast in AF-S but who the hell cares?If your subject stands still (the time you use AF-S) af speed doesn't really matter

A modern camera shouldn't even need an AF-S setting. Just put it in AF-C 100% of the time and the camera should be able to deal with all subjects in this mode. The Panasonic cameras are not able to do that. That's the point

The AFS and AFC are uneuseable in low light for Sony APC bodies for anything other than still life.

Panasonic's AFS is so fast you don't need AFC for people photography. Just hit the shutter and focus and capture are instantaneous. It is also ridiculously accurate.

It's a combination of optimised lenses and DFD which gives Panasonic the best autofocus of all camera manufacturers.

Go in a shop and try it.

Honestly, it is light years ahead of my Nikon d750. For my d750 I only use back button AFC, as you need to track a bit before you get the shot quite often. With Panasonic there's no need: if it's under your focus point you have the shot in focus and captured.

The AF-S in Panasonic cameras is so fast that it's most of the time not where you want it to be focused, in other terms it's very imprecise, especially in low light. That's the main reason I've sold my ex G9 because focus accuracy was garbage especially with Olympus pro lenses!

You know nothing!I've spend thousand of euros on pro Panasonic gear and Olympus lenses that didn't work properly and now you call me a troll?Be my guest, invest you heard earned money in Panasonic gear and see for yourself ho good and reliable are they for professional work, then we can discuss further. :)

I shoot lots of indoor family shots, many in low light. I leave my GX85 camera in face tracking AFF most of the time (camera will track the subject when half squeezing the shutter).

In my testing and experience, the low light autofocus for still shooting on the GX85 is superior (faster and more accurate) to any of the phase detect or hybrid phase detect cameras I've used (Nikon D5100, J5, Fuji XT20)

For 1080p video, Pana CDAF is as good as the other cameras I mentioned in low light (they hunt too). Things improve in good light or with high contrast targets.

Based on my experience with the Panasonic GX85, I also find eno2's account of the flagship G9 struggling in low light difficult to believe, although perhaps the subject matter or other factors played into the poor results.

Looks like a good tool. I liked the G85 but didn't buy it as I couldn't punch in on focus while recording video, there was no auto ISO and the histogram disappeared when you change ISO. For documentary filmmaking focus and exposure are important. Have any of these been upgraded for the new model?

I appreciated its excellent stabilization, ease of use and strong 4K and 1080P videos. The headphone jack is a good addition.

I ended up with the Sony a6500 which has good video autofocus, auto ISO, focusing aides while recording video, excellent low-light quality, great dynamic range, but high rolling shutter in 4K, terrible 1080P, poor battery life and middling IBIS. I am quite happy with it on balance.

I wasn't particularly worried after the L mount announcement tbh, I mean, they teased the impressive 10-25mm f1.7 zoom at the very same time... If anything, over the last couple years Pana has been doing more for the low end and midrange of M4/3 than Oly has, by far. I'm glad the system still benefits from both their efforts tho, part of what keeps it fresh, if you see my gear list you'll definitely notice I enjoy the fruits of both their labors.

This camera could be perfect. It's sad to see that they omitted the 3.6Mdot EVF panel to protect the G9

Also the weight is a little higher than I would like. I honestly believe they should go back to the G6/ G70 weight even if that means cutting some of the ruggedizing features. Not everyone takes their camera under the shower

Ehh, Pana makes the GX9 for those that want something smaller, and I don't necessarily agree that a few weather sealing gaskets are adding so much weight and bulk. Oly is well regarded when it comes to their weather sealing and the E-M5 II is like 100g smaller and not much larger than the GX9 (smaller than the G6 even).

For some strange reason Pana just hasn't made a smaller but sealed body, and the GX8's poor timing might've killed all notion of a flagship body in anything but an SLR-like shell. It's kinda ironic, considering Pana makes most of the system's best small lenses.

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